seattlecrime.com:
It may be only a matter of time until Columbia City’s controversial watering hole, Angie’s, closes their doors for good.
Two weeks ago, the Washington State Liquor Control Board sent the bar’s owner, Woo Yong “Andy” Lee, a Statement of Intent to Not Renew License and a Request for Hearing/ Response to Statement of Intent to Not Renew, or SINRLRHRSINR for short. In non-WSLCB speak, that means the board won’t grant them a new license to serve liquor. Read more.
Have you ever been to Angie’s? What was your experience? Photos/do communications
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{ 61 comments }
Where will all the blame be laid after Angie’s is gone and there is still a drug problem, people getting mugged, etc. in Columbia City?
I was just there this past Friday with no problems. We should protest!!!
I’ve been there and it is fine, but at night there is too much BS that is directly associated with the bar. It would be foolish to think that there will be a major drop in local crime once the doors close, but hey, it is a step in the right direction.
The owners have had more than enough time to clean up their act, but have refused to do see. Good riddance.
I’ve been to Angie’s on multiple occasions and never had a problem however after some of the recent issues I agree that it may be time for Angie’s to be shuttered, that building looks as if it’s about to fall over anyway. Seems like a great spot for a new building to house a sports oriented bar in Columbia City. Does anyone else notice the complete lack of establishments in the south end where you can watch a game?
I knew some peolpe trying to open a soccer bar in Columbia city but financing is tough right now.
As a native and lifetime 54 year old Seattle resident, this is classic beginnings of the regentrification movement to the South. The CD has just about completed its efforts to regentrify, so….South they go!
I wish Angies owners luck. You will most likely wind up like Oscars and Deanos, gone because you dont fit in with your new imposers..I mean neighbors.
Just to let all you Angie haters know, the building was built in 1905 and was given landmark status back in I believe was 2002 (it may have been earlier) due to Columbia City’s historical status. So the building will not be going anywhere. Also the clinic next door used to be Columbia’s City’s Town Hall so that won’t be going anywhere either. I used to go to Angie’s on a daily basis back when I was younger and never had a problem. I just don’t like taking the bus after dark anymore.
There are plenty of places for liquor in CC. Well, could we get a Top Pot donuts in there? Or a 24 hr coffee shop?
I totally co-sign with misskay except that its not the beginning of the regentrification of the South End. It’s already begun. The powers that be won’t be happy until people of color are all living in Kent ( not to knock Kent).
If you don’t like Angie’s….don’t go…sounds simple to me. Like Mark B said….”Where will all the blame be laid after Angie’s is gone and there is still a drug problem, people getting mugged, etc. in Columbia City?”
Maybe Jones’ BBQ??
24 hour coffee shop? that would give them somewhere to hang 24-7 and please don’t say there will be cops there all the time because there are doughnuts.
If that building truly has “historical status” that is a complete joke, I don’t care if it’s demolished or not since it’s going to fall over anyway.
The soccer bar idea has been put on indefinite hold due to funding and the inability to locate a good location at a reasonable price in the CC area.
If you all really live in CC I don’t understand why you are using the word “regentrification” (which is not a word btw) like it’s a bad thing. The word is actually gentrification and if you own a house in CC you should welcome it as it only increases your property value
I don’t understand people’s comments of they have done nothing to stay open. There is a security guard who screens id’s and doesn’t tolerate foolish behavior.
Gentrification is so f*ckin ugly!
“The city’s objection letter, filed in September 2009, noted incidents of gunfire, fights, drug dealing, and frequent calls to police at the bar.”
It is difficult to tolerate a situation where gunfire is occurring. A 12 year old in Skyway was recently killed by a stray bullet.
“It is difficult to tolerate a situation where gunfire is occurring. A 12 year old in Skyway was recently killed by a stray bullet.”
But they are not trying to close the 7-11
Or Jumbo!!!
After we gentrify CC lets gentrify the prisons. Bye Bye Angies!
Is it me or is there a nasty undercurrent of racism bubbling below the surface on RVP threads like this one?
If we lose Angie’s, we lose the best jukebox in town. We lose a place where it *really* doesn’t matter what color you are, because everybody will be cool with you. We lose a place where you can get up and start dancing and nobody judges. We lose a vital part of the neighborhood.
Sorry if some of people are afraid of Angie’s. They just don’t get it.
@17 So if we don’t like a crime ridden establishment patronized by blacks we must be racist? I don’t want Jumbo to continue having raves, does that mean I have something against white suburbanites? I guess I must be a self hating white man.
When will the Rainier Valley rid itself of Jumbo?
Those in the city who took the time to respond to our complaints say that they’re working with the owners to address security concerns. Given how long Angie’s Cocktails stayed on the ropes, it could be years before we say goodbye to Jumbo its private weekend parties. Meanwhile the people who live within spitting distance of Jumbo — lots of families — cross their fingers and hope that shots fired don’t become a regular weekend event.
The Rainier Valley needs a good Chinese restaurant with takeout — and we don’t mean Safeway-imitation Chinese General Tso. There are several Pho and Vietnamese restaurants in the area, but too few places where you can get dim sum, moo shu pork, Mongolian beef.
There’s a space opening up at the locale of Angie’s Cocktails.
I don’t know about Angie’s, never been, but to bemoan the loss of Deano’s? Jeez, how many shootings (and at least one death that I remember) did they have there? If not having bullets fly in the neighborhood means gentrification, bring it on.
@ real Rainier Valley Girl
I have been hoping for good Chinese food since the original Lee’s closed in Seward Park.
It’s worth the short drive to the ID for Chinese, Lee’s was not good IMHO. I’d love to see something open closer to home but I think we’re doing pretty well for the variety of restaurants in our little neighborhood.
Is this an Angie’s thread?
@your mama
I’m talking about the lee’s that was there about 10 years ago, not the one that took over.
Gotcha – I moved the neighborhood about 10 years ago so must have just missed it. Glad to see Flying Squirrel doing well in that location at least
Flying Squirrel is the hit.
Political correctness junkies and “dangeous is cool”hipsters be damned…Angie’s is a boil on the butt of Columbia City.
ok I went to the original
lees; it was better than the second place. However, it was not good. That’s from someone who went once a week with their toddler for dinner. Charmingly adequate would cover it.
Angie’s …well I know people who like it, but no one who can’t live without it.
Do you mean the second or the third place, It changed owners 3 times in a year or two.
Say goodbye to the last bar in CC with a pool table.
…umm, there are 2 pool halls/billiards clubs in Columbia City. One on MLK and Hudson, one next to Full Tilt.
Good riddance to Angie’s. This bar ignores
the crime happening right outsside the door and even inside. Sure they sometimes have a bouncer and have a big list if rules posted…but, that’s just jumping through hoops. There’s no sincere concern for the wellbeing or the safety of the neighborhood. Rather, if it happens in the alley, it’s not their problem–Angie’s has had it’s chance to step up and be proactive…unfortunately, it didn’t happen.
There’s pool tables a bit further down Rainier at the Vietnamese (?) pool hall by Full Tilt. Not sure if they serve alcohol though.
I have heard that the pool hall down on Rainier (vietnamese) is full of gangsters (not too safe). Just hearsay…..
I went to Angies on a few occasions. I love a good dive bar. I hate all of the other bars in C City. I wanted to hang out there but didn’t feel like I belonged as a white female. I was bullied by the younger gangster crowd and so were the people I brought with me. A fight almost broke out due to a completely irrational gang banger. The older guys were hanging, talkative and cool. It was the foolish younger crowd that had something to prove. I would love to hang there more but I don’t feel safe enough to do so.
@33 They won’t bother you if you don’t bother them.
As a old white guy , been in this bar lots of times and always enjoyed the music available and the people as well. Most all were all non-discrimatory and the patrons wouldn’t allow it if they tried. The police were called on many occasions when Dan and Suki owned the bar, by the owners or employees mostly for the drop-in -one time trouble makers.When the C.D. bars closed a lot of riff raff moved to Columbia City. Say what you want but the plastic card customers across the street will still find something to complain about.
@34: in Angie’s right now. 9/13 people are white, including me, bartender, etc.
That said, there is no better place in the sound-end to meet handsome black men than Angie’s & I will be pissed if it closes.
Nor is there a better place to score
crack, hire a hooker, get in a fight, and witness a shooting.
…but, hey, the jukebox is good…let’s keep it open. Besides if it closes where will you glare at all the horrible yuppies and their credit cards from. I am so sick of this self-righteous “save the last dive bar” argument…like somehow that’s more
important than the greater safety and well-being of the neighborhood.
Angie’s needs to go. They have had their chance to step up and have failed.
@38: Have you ever gone inside for a beer?
@38: I would argue that RAS & Henderson is a much better place 2 score dope, hoes, fights & guns. Significantly lower profile than hipster CC. Wouldn’t you say?
Yes. I have gone inside. I’ve never had a problem there myself. The problem I do have is bullets, crack, prostitution, and fighting happening by my house and waking my family and my fellow neighbors up at night. I have seen fights, seen prostitution, been offered all sorts of drugs walking by and heard many a gushot and even more sirens. I’ve called the police multiple times.
There’s absolutely no reason to tolerate crime and violence in the name of defending a dive bar.
@40
CC is hipster? Wow, who new young families were so cool. I wouldn’t go so far as hipster. Gentrified? Definitely. Involved? Passionate about our neighborhood? Yes…But I think the neighborhood is far cry from Capitol Hill and Georgetown.
Just because someone is white and young does not make them a self-righteous hipster…
If I need a good nap I will make sure to frequent the other “spots” in Columbia City. Where I need to take out a loan to get a decent meal and I need to run home and change my sweats and wife beater because I don’t want to be stared at my other patrons.
Let’s just all get the blankets out and head to the Columbia City Library on the weekends. I’m sure that’s better for all lol.
Snore!
Yeah, CC is hipster- our bakery is featured (with photo) – along with Full Tilt Ice Cream in tomorrow’s NY Times.
Oh, here’s a link to the article.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/travel/16choice.html?emc=eta1
So, hipster = successful? I am not getting the NYT explanation. Because the bakery is notable, the neighborhood is some kind of hipster joke without any soul?
Angie’s sure gets a hell of lot more press than the bakery.
And to the comment regarding the rest of the neighborhood establishments being a bore and that you’d rather take a nap…if that means less crime and violence blocks away from my
house and family an neighbors, I’m fine with it… I’m sure a lot of
folks will sleep easier once Angie’s is gone.
@cbo’s comment has been deleted for violating established RVP rules of conduct.
That said, your friendly neighborhood editor appreciates the opportunity to highlight one of the most important rules of civil discussion, which prohibits attacking other users.
Please converse on the strength of your argument sans personal insults.
Thank you,
Amber Campbell, Editor
Lots of toothless crack addicts in front of Angies last night begging spare change so they can load another song on the jutebox. Just saying……………….
You have got to be kidding me. What personal insult???? Who was insulted???
Submitted without comment in order to avoid deletion…
http://www.publicola.net/2010/05/14/angies-goodbye-good-riddance/
I knew that was you!! Laurel all you had to do was ask me for a quarter and I would have gladly given you one. Don’t be ashamed
@cbo: *I* am insulted that you seem unable to make a point without disparaging those that disagree with you. Not really, just trying to make a point.
Here’s a test: Pick out the one sentence in your comment that was unacceptable.
If you can’t, then you probably don’t need RVP commenting rights.
Slapp,
Just one instance of recognition outside the neighborhood. I don’t think there is any definitive authority on hipness. Also realize what is hip to you may not be to someone else and vice versa. I personally find violence to be unhip.
Tom T.
RE: Just Askin’:
” Is it me or is there a nasty undercurrent of racism bubbling below the surface on RVP threads like this one?”
There is, although if anything it’s rooted in calling the race card far too often. Do you have to be white to dislike shootings and drug dealing where we should be enjoying our dinner, shopping for groceries, commuting to and from work, or watching our children play? Is it a white thing to dislike a bar that simply shoves crime out the front door and hope it gets sorted out in the alley way? Or are we just racist for wanting to live somewhere in our city that we can afford and make it safe, thereby “invading neighborhoods”. Honestly, I’ve been called [insert derogatory white racial comment] more than I can count since moving here, at times while doing nothing more than walking from the bus stop to my home to deserve such a remark. So yes, there is definitely an issue with “racism” in this area; my guess is on all sides of the fence (not just black vs white here in 98118).
But get this straight: It’s not racist to want to live somewhere safe. It’s not racist to want a business to go elsewhere when they can’t keep crime from spilling out of their parking lot. It -is- racist to imply that these are “white people” problems. It -is- racist to make racial comments or implications even if you -are- a minority. Lastly, calling something “racist” when inappropriate just tells me you have nothing valuable to add to the conversation; is that really where you want to stand in matters that are important to you?
I personally would love to keep the local character, although if that involves keeping the crime that comes with it than good riddance! Replace it with a business that will not only respect the neighborhood’s culture and history but also the safety of those that share the community.
RE: citizen mom 05.15.10 at 3:44 pm
” @38: I would argue that RAS & Henderson is a much better place 2 score dope, hoes, fights & guns. Significantly lower profile than hipster CC. Wouldn’t you say?”
This! And I’m sick of it! Although has anyone else spotted more bicycle cops around the south side of Rainier Ave near Cloverdale/Henderson? Better yet, these cops seem to be venturing from the main strip and ducking into those side streets and alleyways these crooks like to hang out in. Possibly the results of our suggestion to the mayor?
@54
Well said. This is not a race issue, it’s a safety issue. I’m not arguing that Angie’s isn’t a South End institution…but, it’s undeniable that the place is dangerous and violence, prostitution, and serious crimes occur there and around the property on a regular basis.
Why people want to be the universal defenders of an establishment that brings these types of threats to our neighborhood is beyond me. For a jukebox? For a pool table? For a sense of the old, pre-”hipster,” pre-yuppie, pre-wine bar, pre-gentrified CC? For an after-work hangout?…I’m sorry, but when it comes down to those defenses and the general well-being and overall safety of Columbia City, those arguments just seem shallow…and like Mich implied above, filled with a healthy dose of anti-white sentiment.
I’d be all for keeping Angie’s if it stepped up, took some serious initiative, worked with the city, and actually listened to the neighborhood–but, unfortunately, they haven’t. Their actions are half-assed reactive measures (like their current “1-more offense and Angie’s might be gone” sign on the front door) and never anything proactive. Sure, they do a nice job sweeping up the sidewalk, but really that’s about it. The bar’s “take it outside, take it to the alley…and don’t get us busted” attitude and long-standing tradition is dangerous and spills over to residential streets. My sincere hope is that the pro-Angie’s lot just simply doesn’t live close enough to the bar to really witness these problems first-hand on a regular basis. But, for those of us whose families are regularly woken up by the fights, gunshots, and sirens coming from Angie’s, we get it. If you do see the problems, and still think there’s a strong case that Angie’s doors should remain open…well, then there’s some real disappointing and disheartening priorities out there.
I went to Angie’s after lunch at The spice Room Saturday and had a good time. As far as the race of the patrons it was 9 white 4 black / colored and no one had any problems.
@57
…and my guess is that you weren’t there between the hours of 11:00-2, or hanging out in the alleys aroundthe bar. Which is when and where most of the problems occur. Sunday nights are also pretty tame no matter what bar you might be at.
@58
Actually I don’t go ANYWHERE in Seattle between the hours of 11:00- 2:00
Angie’s needs to go. So do the endless crack dealers along Rainier Ave. South who very actively work to destroy our communities. We’ve had our share of garbage and it’s time for trash pickup. Don’t miss the truck.
@59
…my point exactly. Most people don’t and I’d be willing to be that most people on this blog don’t hang out around Angie’s (or anywhere in “downtown” Columbia City) at this time. Those who live close by and can hear it and see it on a regular basis seem to be the ones who are arguing how severe the problem is.
Others , however, are quick to right it off as just another dose of gentrification. My guess is that they don’t live as close enough to the problems for it to directly impact them and their sense of safety.
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